Scottish FA rules on multi-club ownership would be no barrier to a potential takeover of Rangers by 49ers Enterprises, the investment arm of NFL franchise the San Francisco 49ers, or even the potential for their president Paraag Marathe to take a seat on the Ibrox board.
Marathe is also the Leeds United chairman, but Herald Sport understands that the SFA would have no objection to his involvement at Rangers on the grounds of dual ownership as it would 'not impact on the integrity of the competition' in this country.
There are precedents from the governing body in approving such deals, with US billionaire and Bournemouth owner Bill Foley cleared to take ownership of 25 percent of Hibs last year, while analytics firm Park Bench SFC LLC were able to purchase 99.84 percent of Dunfermline's shares in January despite also holding minority stakes in Córdoba CF and PFC Septemvri Sofia.
An SFA source confirmed to The Herald therefore that far from throwing hurdles into the path of investors looking to bring money into the game in this country, particularly those with track records elsewhere, the governing body would look to encourage it wherever possible.
Talks between a consortium headed by Marathe and Rangers' existing shareholders are believed to be in an advanced stage, with another as yet unnamed wealthy US investor believed to be involved.
Marathe's 49ers Enterprises previously bought an initial 15 percent share in Leeds United back in 2018 before slowly increasing their stake and eventually taking full control of the Elland Road club back in 2023.
They are now looking to add Rangers to their stable of interests, exciting Ibrox fans with the potential of investment in players on the field, but also in modernising the structure of the club.
